Iran frees actress Alidoosti, jailed over anti-government unrest

FILE PHOTO: The 75th Cannes Film Festival - News conference for the film "Leila's Brothers" in competition - Cannes, France, May 26, 2022. Cast member Taraneh Alidoosti reacts. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran has released top Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti on bail, state media reported on Wednesday, weeks after she was detained for criticizing a crackdown on anti-government protests that have rocked the Islamic Republic for months.

Best-known for her role in "The Salesman", which won an Academy Award in 2017, the pro-reform artist Alidoosti had supported the protests, including by posting her picture on Instagram in November without the compulsory hijab head covering, and holding up a sign which read "Woman, Life, Freedom" in Kurdish, a popular slogan in the mass protests.